Serna doesn't quite have the numbers he did at this time last year, but he's kicked some clutch field goals for the Beavers this season, which has earned him a spot on a list of 20 semifinilists for this year's Lou Groza award. From OSUBeavers.com
Among this year's 20 semifinalists are 2005 Groza Award winner Alexis Serna of Oregon State, and 2005 runner up Mason Crosby of Colorado. Also making the 2006 semifinalists list are 2005 semifinalists Kenny Byrd from New Mexico, Garrett Rivas of Michigan, Sam Swank of Wake Forest, Brandon Pace of Virginia Tech, and Reagan Schneider of Texas El Paso.
Serna has made a school record 85 consecutive extra point attempts and has been successful on 12 of 17 field goal tries this season. He also has an OSU record matching 58-yard field goal this season against California and a 53-yard effort vs. USC. He was named the Pac-10 Special Teams Player of the Week for Oct. 16. For his career, Serna is 52 of 65 for an 80 percent success rate - seventh among active kickers in Division I.
The three finalists for the Lou Groza Award are announced on Monday, November 20 and will be honored at the 15th Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Banquet on Tuesday, December 5 at the Palm Beach Gardens Marriott. The 2006 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award winner will be announced on Thursday, December 7 during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Award Show in Orlando, Florida.
Way to go, Alexis, and good luck on qualifying for the Finals.
Go Beavers!